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NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Compass, Inc. (NYSE: COMP), a leading real estate technology company, today announced its expansion to Wisconsin with 16 top agents in Milwaukee representing more than $110 million in 2020 sales volume. Principal agents joining Compass in Milwaukee include: Karine Sewart of The Sewart Group and Charlie Hutchinson of Houseworks Collective.

“One of our core principles as a business is to obsess about opportunity and that’s exactly what we are announcing today – an amazing opportunity between Compass and some of the most experienced real estate professionals in Wisconsin,” said Rachael Rohn, Compass Regional President. “Our continued growth into the North Central market is a natural step in Compass’ national expansion and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Wisconsin into our region.”

The Sewart Group joins Compass as a market leader in Milwaukee with $350 million in combined career sales. Led by Karine Sewart, a Milwaukee native and University of Wisconsin alumna, the team specializes in the luxury residential markets of Milwaukee and prides themselves on delivering a first-class real estate experience for their clients. With over $41 million in 2020 sales volume, the team has been repeatedly recognized as the top producing sales team at their previous brokerage.

“Our goal at The Sewart Group is to consistently deliver an exceptional client experience. As trusted real estate advisors for over 18 years, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our business and serve our clients at the highest level,” said Karine Sewart, Compass Agent in Milwaukee. “Compass impressed us with its cutting-edge technology, incredible marketing tools, dynamic leadership, and forward-thinking approach. The partnership between Sewart Group and Compass seemed natural. We believe that technology is driving the future of real estate and that Compass is the market leader. With pride and gratitude, The Sewart Group is excited to be aligned with Compass and honored to be a Founding Agent Team in the Wisconsin market.”

Compass helps agents grow their businesses, serve more clients, save time, and stand out as valued, trusted and professional advisors in their markets. During the first quarter of 2021, Compass had revenue of $1.1 billion, an 80% increase from Q1 2020. While the U.S. residential real estate market grew transactions by 14% in Q1, Compass grew total transactions by 67%.

Charlie Hutchinson released the following statement:

• “From the supportive staff, to the creative marketing team, and the innovative technology and platforms, Compass has everything in place to help agents build their brand and their business. To top it all off, Compass’ brand recognition, national network, and renowned professionalism aligns with everything we have always strived for at Houseworks Collective. Joining Compass as Founding Agents in Milwaukee will not only build our business, but elevate the business of those around us.” — Charlie Hutchinson, Compass Agent, Milwaukee

Compass is home to nearly 22,000 agents operating in over 50 markets in the U.S. In 2020, Compass agents assisted home sellers and buyers to transact approximately $152 billion in residential real estate making Compass the largest independent real estate brokerage in the United States. 

About Compass
Founded in 2012, Compass is a leading real estate technology company, providing an end-to-end platform that empowers its residential real estate agents to deliver exceptional service to seller and buyer clients. The platform includes an integrated suite of cloud-based software for customer relationship management, marketing, client service, brokerage services and other critical functionality, all custom-built for the real estate industry. Compass agents utilize the platform to grow their business, save time and manage their business more effectively. For more information on how Compass empowers real estate agents, one of the largest groups of small business owners in the country, please visit www.Compass.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Compass’ current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Statements containing words such as “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from Compass’ current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Compass’ business, including, but not limited to, expansion into new markets, prevailing market conditions, the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally, and risks related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative, but is not exhaustive. For information about other potential factors that could affect Compass’ business and financial results, please review the “Risk Factors” described in Compass’ Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 13, 2021, and Compass’ other filings with the SEC. Except as may be required by law, Compass undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

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SOURCE Compass

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Increased activity in the U.S. labor market, combined with the new hybrid working environment, has led to employee turnover like never before. According to Gallagher’s 2021 Physical & Emotional Wellbeing Report, nearly three-quarters of employers (71 percent) view medical and pharmacy benefits as key assets to attract and retain top talent. Talent managers anticipate a sharp increase in voluntary exits as the economy improves, creating a sense of urgency to ensure benefit and compensation offerings appeal to the needs of current and prospective employees.

“While no one could have anticipated the full impact of the COVID pandemic, organizations with clearly defined benefits and compensation strategies were better positioned to navigate the period of uncertainty,” said William F. Ziebell, CEO of Gallagher’s Benefits & HR Consulting Division. “This is one of the most complex labor markets in history.  Our economy is growing yet organizations are having trouble filling positions, thus putting employees in the driver’s seat. Decision-makers who base their comprehensive benefits and HR offerings on data and analytics, and effectively communicate their benefits and compensation strategies, will ultimately set their organizations up for success today and into the future.”

Providing Employees with a Sense of Stability
While employers are feeling a great deal of pressure to get a positive return on their benefits and compensation investment, the 2021 Physical & Emotional Wellbeing Report found few are making wholesale changes. Rather, roughly nine in 10 (88 percent) indicated they’re taking a more measured approach in evaluating and adjusting their healthcare benefits. That’s because 2020 was unlike any other year. The underutilization of benefits may have been an anomaly, not a long-term trend.

However, that does not mean employers are maintaining the status quo. The Gallagher study found that many organizations are making subtle benefit changes where employees can easily see the value. For example, the use of telemedicine surged by 12 points since 2019, with 64 percent of employers offering it as a care option. Given the appeal of its convenience and cost savings, more employers are expected to adopt the benefit.

In addition, more than half of employers (52 percent) now offer consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs), up 6 points from the previous year. Organizations bundle CDHPs with health savings accounts (HSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) to control rising healthcare costs. These programs require employees to take on more financial responsibility and actively engage participants in making educated decisions about medical services. Thus far, more than one in five employees (21 percent) is enrolled in a HSA.

Healthcare Costs Increasing Due to Rising Insurance Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs
While total healthcare spend may have dropped in 2020, medical expenses continue to climb. Prescription-drug costs remain the fastest-growing category of overall healthcare spend. Forty-two percent said the high cost of specialty drugs was one of their top healthcare cost-management challenges, and one-third (33 percent) felt the same about the high cost of non-specialty prescription drugs.

Employers do have options to keep pharmacy expenses in check. For self-insured organizations, carving out pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) services to a separate vendor is one preference. Many larger employers (1,000 or more full-time employees) are taking this a step further by unbundling and separately contracting specific PBM services, such as a specialty pharmacy. More than nine in 10 employers (91 percent) have pharmacy plans requiring copays, which is the most common cost-sharing mechanism. That said, median copay amounts remained unchanged in 2021.

Employers Struggling to Balance Absence Management and Employee Satisfaction
Following a year of learnings in 2020, the Gallagher study found organizations are applying a renewed strategic vision to planning absence management policies and programs. Half of employers (50 percent) currently have a formalized absence management strategy in place, and that percentage is expected to grow to nearly two-thirds of employers (63 percent) by 2023. The top absence-management concerns included compliance with federal, state and municipal regulations (55 percent); the impact of absence on employees’ productivity (40 percent); and educating managers about various leave types (39 percent). Absence management programs can be further complicated by telecommuting and hybrid work schedules, where accurate tracking of employee time off is more difficult.

Additionally, women left the workplace at historic rates in 2020 to care for relatives of all ages. This exposed the limitations of many organizations’ family leave policies. With employers in countless industries struggling to fill job openings, the time is right for organizations to consider extending the reach of leave policies. Employers that fail to explore options may ultimately lose top employees and prospects to competitors that better address the physical and emotional wellbeing of their teams.

Employers Offering More Non-Traditional or Voluntary Benefits
Multi-purpose voluntary benefits provide employers with additional levers to both strengthen and differentiate their total rewards.  In this complex labor market, organizations are leveraging voluntary benefits to buy the lifestyles their employees have become accustomed to over the past 16 months and entice them back into the office. In 2021, more than four in 10 employers (41 percent) said they have enhanced their voluntary benefit selection to meet recruitment and retention objectives. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) and employee discount programs, provided by 87 percent and 70 percent of employers respectively, remain popular voluntary benefits. Certain non-traditional voluntary benefits, influenced by the pandemic with people spending more time at home, are also gaining momentum. Nearly one in five employers (19 percent) now provide pet insurance. By 2023, Gallagher experts predict an additional 27 percent will add this non-traditional voluntary benefit.

 “The pandemic elevated the importance of having healthcare offerings that appeal to employees, keeping them healthy, productive and engaged,” said Ziebell. “Our findings confirm what our consultants are hearing directly from employers: organizations are selectively evolving their approach to traditional and voluntary benefits to improve their recruitment and retention efforts. And when new opportunities arise, decision-makers are closely evaluating the costs, the anticipated outcomes and the likelihood employees will utilize them because this will ultimately give them a competitive advantage.”

Gallagher’s 2021 Physical & Emotional Wellbeing Report is part of the Workplace Trends Report Series.  It is based on data from the 2021 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey, collected from nearly 4,000 employers in the U.S. across all industries from December 2020 to March 2021. The report can be found here.

ABOUT GALLAGHER

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 56 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Contact:
Mary Schwartz, Gallagher
847.378.5893
[email protected]

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SOURCE Gallagher

TORONTO and NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Real Brokerage Inc. (“Real” or the “Company”) (TSXV: REAX) (Nasdaq: REAX), a national, technology-powered real estate brokerage now operating in 31 states and the District of Columbia, announced that it will release its second quarter 2021 financial results on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 before the open of market trading. Additionally, Real will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2021 operating and financial results on Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Details of the conference call are listed below:

Restricted Share Unit Grant

The Company also announced that pursuant to the Company’s Restricted Share Unit Plan, an aggregate of 9,000 restricted share units (“RSUs“) were granted to certain officers of Real and are payable in common shares. 2,000 RSUs will vest on May 5, 2022, 2,000 RSUs will vest on May 5, 2024, 3,000 RSUs will vest on June 1, 2024 and 2,000 RSUs will vest on July 2, 2024.

About Real

Real (www.joinreal.com) is a technology-powered real estate brokerage operating in 31 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Real is building the brokerage of the future, together with agents and their clients. Real creates financial opportunities for agents through better commission splits, best-in-class technology, revenue sharing and equity incentives.

Contact Information

Press, for more information, please contact:
The Real Brokerage Inc.
Caroline Glennon
[email protected]  
201-564-4221

Investors, for more information, please contact:
Hayden IR
James Carbonara
[email protected]
646-755-7412

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limiting the foregoing, the business and strategic plans of the Company. 

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to Real’s business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Real considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors should be carefully considered and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Real cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Real assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, and the NASDAQ has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

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SOURCE The Real Brokerage Inc.

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Aira Inc., the company redefining wireless charging with FreePower®, today announced a $12 million Series Seed funding round. This additional capital will accelerate the company’s expansion into the automotive, enterprise, and hospitality sectors. It will also enable Aira — which was named FastCompany‘s #5 Most Innovative Company in 2021 — to expand its operational and engineering resources in preparation for the launch of FreePower® 2.0 by year’s end. The company was recently granted it’s first patents for FreePower® and has more than 80 patent assets related to its ground-breaking wireless charging methods.

Aira also announced the appointment of Axon [NASDAQ: AXON] Chief Financial Officer Jawad Ahsan to its board of directors. Ahsan brings more than two decades of global financial strategy experience and public company leadership to the company’s board. Jawad currently leads Axon’s global finance, corporate strategy, legal and IT organizations. He also serves as executive sponsor for the company’s consumer-facing business. Prior to Axon, Jawad served as CFO for SaaS market intelligence firm Market Track, and spent 13 years at General Electric, most notably serving as CFO for its Healthcare electronic health record and enterprise software businesses.

“This new round of funding is a game changer when it comes to accelerating our capacity for innovation,” said Jake Slatnick, co-founder and CEO of Aira. “With so many partnerships in our pipeline, a 2.0 version of FreePower® on the horizon, and Jawad having just joined our board, this is an inflection point for Aira.”

“Aira is transforming the way people charge devices, evolving a technology that has failed to meet consumer expectations since it was first introduced,” added Ahsan. “Jake, Eric, and the team have built a technology that will set the standard for the next decade and make consumers less beholden to cables, chargers, power outlets, and the stress of a dead battery during the day. I’m excited to be along for the ride.”

Aira in Automotive
Current wireless charging technology is not built for moving environments, leaving consumers and automakers underwhelmed. In-car charging surfaces with FreePower®, on the other hand, are able to support devices shifting around while driving, multi-device charging, surfaces of any size, and firmware updates for future enhancements and compatibility. They can also deliver high-power charging while maintaining stringent safety and regulatory standards.

Aira announced a strategic partnership in December 2020 with Motherson Innovations Company Limited, the emerging technologies arm of the Motherson Group [NSE: MOTHERSUMI], a leading Tier 1 global automotive supplier, who also invested in the company. This joint project to develop, manufacture, and supply automotive-grade FreePower® wireless charging modules into vehicle interiors was recently nominated for a prestigious PACEPilot Award.

About Aira
Aira is setting a new standard for wireless charging with FreePower®, an elegant hardware and software solution that offers complete freedom of placement across surfaces. Founded in 2017 by Jake Slatnick and Eric Goodchild, the company’s FreePower® technology is an elegant, adaptable solution that pushes long-standing boundaries to deliver on the fundamental promise of wireless charging – convenience. Built to work with devices operating on the Qi standard, FreePower® is compatible with all major Qi devices including those from Apple, Samsung, and Google. Aira is partnering with brands, OEMs, and technology suppliers across several verticals, including consumer electronics, automotive, furniture and hospitality, to make “wireless charging as it was meant to be” available everywhere. To learn more about Aira and FreePower^®, visit airapower.com. For media, please visit airapower.com/news.

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SOURCE Aira